If I gave it it's own thread, I'd title this post A Bad Idea Executed Adequately Or, Don't Ever Buy Used Trains from The Other Guy:
On Tuesday, I started up the Blue Comet and, after moving six inches across a switch, it shudders to a stop. Power to the track was fine; no derailment; no smoke. So, I power down and back up and the loco revs up. I cycle it into forward motion and, again, six inches and then ... bupkis. This time, a proper short.
So, I take the engine off the track, expecting to workbench it, when I hear a little tinkle on the track. I look down and, what do I see? The loco's front roller, snapped clean off the pickup. Oh ****.
Off to the workbench ... First, to see if the second roller still draws power to the motor and, indeed, the train's internals are OK. The dilemma: do I continue to run on the remaining roller or, do I order a complete motor replacement (since pickups are riveted on Tinplate Traditions trains) or, do I do something much more reckless and ... Frankensteinian?
....
You can guess what I did:
But great news: works beautifully! Ran this puppy for almost 2 hours straight yesterday and nary a blip! 
- The Other Guy
FILE: DEPARTMENT OF DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME, KIDS
